Snap-on screwless wallplate wiring device

ABSTRACT

A wall cover plate is provided for connecting directly to an electrical wiring device without the use of the base plate or adapter plate. The wall plate can have a connector such as a hook and/or prong that engages the housing for the mounting strap of the electrical wiring device. The electrical wiring device can include a removable connector attached to the mounting strap where the connector has at least one edge or coupling member for coupling with a faceplate. The faceplate can have an inner edge with a rib or series of teeth for connecting with the mounting strap or the removable connector by an interference fit.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 14/139,045filed Dec. 23, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/745,741 filed Dec. 24, 2012 which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a snap-on wall plate assembly forcovering an electrical device and an electrical box opening mounted in awall structure. The invention is particularly directed to a screw-lesswall cover plate assembly that is able to attach to the electricalwiring device and to fit against the wall surface without the use oftools, screws or other visible fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical wiring devices are installed in various types ofinstallations, for example, industrial, residential and commercialapplications and settings. The appearance and safety of the electricalwiring device is greatly enhanced by the wall plate. The wall plates aretypically connected to the wiring device by screws which may not providethe desired aesthetics depending on the intended use. The installationof the wall plate typically involves small screws that can be easilydropped or lost.

Wiring devices such as a switch or electrical receptacle are typicallymounted in an electrical box which is in turn mounted to a wall stud orother support structure. The open end of the electrical box is usuallymounted flush with the outer surface of the wall. A cover plate or faceplate is attached to the electrical device to cover the open end of theelectrical box and to provide a decorative appearance. Face plates aretypically attached by one or more screws that extend through a screwhole in the face plate and are threaded into the electrical device.

Various face plates have been produced having no visible screws orfasteners on the outer surface. The face plates typically have a snapmechanism that enables the attachment of the face plate to an adapterplate or some intermediate plate that must be first attached to thewiring device. One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,817 toArenas et al. This cover plate assembly is suitable for single gang ormulti gang boxes. The device includes an attachment plate having a tabat each end. A face plate is snapped onto the tabs to attach the faceplate to the attachment plate.

Another example of a faceplate attachment assembly is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,189,259 to Carson et al. The face plate assembly includes amounting plate having a hook-like portion. A face plate is provided withlegs that extend outwardly and attach to the hook portion of theattachment plate to attach the cover plate to the attachment plate.

Another example of an attachment mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,733,330 to Tanaka et al. This patent also discloses an attachmentplate which is attached to an electrical box where the attachment platehas a hook-like member. A cover plate includes legs with a hooked endfor hooking onto the attachment plate.

Various other arrangements have been developed for attaching a faceplate to an electrical box. One type of arrangement includes spring-likemembers that can snap into a hole in a mounting plate or clamp onto theelectrical box or opening in the wall. Examples of this type of deviceare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,840,582 to Hubbell, U.S. Pat. No.3,168,612 to Sorenson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,549 to Good, U.S. Pat. No.4,211,905 to Quigley, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,795 to Arthur.

Various other arrangements for attaching a face plate to an electricalbox are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,928 to Mori, U.S. Pat. No.4,631,354 to Boteler, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,886 to Dierenbach et al.

While the prior attachment mechanisms for attaching a face plate to awall have generally been suitable for the intended purpose, there is acontinuing need in the industry for improved attachment mechanisms forthe face plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wall plate assembly. Inparticular, the invention is directed to a snap-on wall plate assemblyfor attachment to an electrical device without the use of screws orother separate fasteners.

One aspect of the invention is to provide a cover wall plate assemblythat is simple and easy to install and provides secure attachment of thewall plate to the electrical device without the use of screws. The wallplate assembly of the invention includes a wall plate that is attacheddirectly to the electrical wiring device by a fastening memberintegrally formed with the wall plate. In one embodiment, an adapter isattached to the electrical wiring device for coupling with the wallplate.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wall plate assembly thatis easy to manufacture and has a minimum number of parts and engagementcomponents.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wall plate assemblywhere the wall plate can be attached to a multi-gang electrical box andis able to fit neatly against the wall surface and is able to compensatefor uneven wall surfaces.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wall plate assemblywhere the wall plate includes an attachment member that can be attacheddirectly to one or more surfaces of the electrical wiring device. Theattachment members in one embodiment are integral with the wall plateand are positioned adjacent the central opening of the wall plate andextend from the rear face of wall plate to couple with a surface of theelectrical wiring device.

The wall plate assembly in one embodiment of the invention includes atleast one and preferably a plurality of hooks that extend from the rearface of the wall plate. The hooks engage a shoulder on an outer surfaceof the electrical wiring device to snap the wall plate directly to theelectrical wiring device.

A further aspect of the invention is to provide a cover plate assemblywhere the electrical wiring device has a yoke or mounting strap with aflange having a lip that is able to engage an inner edge of the wallplate for coupling the wall plate to the electrical wiring device. Theinner edge of the wall plate can have a plurality of teeth or ridges forengaging the edge of the mounting strap.

A further feature of the invention provides a removable spring clipadapter that can be attached to the ends of the mounting strap. Thespring clip adapters have a coupling edge that engages the inner edge ofthe wall plate to attach the wall plate to the spring clip and theelectrical wiring device.

These and other aspects of the invention are basically attained byproviding a wall cover plate assembly for covering an electrical devicemounted to an electrical box. The assembly comprises an electricalwiring device having a housing with a front face, a first longitudinalend with a mounting strap extending therefrom, and a second longitudinalend with a mounting strap extending therefrom for attaching theelectrical wiring device to an open end of an electrical box. A wallplate is provided having a central opening with a dimension to receivethe front face of the electrical wiring device, a front face and a rearface. A plurality of coupling members extend from the rear face and arecoupled directly to the housing of the electrical wiring device.

The various aspects of the invention are also attained by providing acover plate assembly for connecting to a wall mounted electrical devicemounted in an electrical box. The assembly comprises an electricalwiring device having a housing with a front face, a first side wall, asecond side wall, a first end wall having a mounting strap extendingtherefrom and a second end wall having a mounting strap extendingtherefrom for attaching the electrical wiring device to an electricalbox. A wall plate has a front face, a rear face with a dimension tocover the electrical wiring device and the electrical box. The wallplate has a central opening with a dimension for receiving the frontface of the electrical wiring device. A plurality of projections extendfrom the rear face of the wall plate. The projections have a distal endwith a hook engaging at least one of the walls of the electrical wiringdevice. Two spaced apart prongs extend from the rear face of the wallplate and are spaced radially outward from the projections where theprongs have a dimension for frictionally engaging an aperture in theelectrical wiring device.

The aspects of the invention are also attained by providing a coverplate assembly for a multi-gang wall mounted electrical box having aplurality of electrical devices. The assembly comprises an electricalwiring device having a housing with a front face, a first side wall, asecond side wall, a first end wall having a mounting strap extendingtherefrom and a second end wall having a mounting strap extendingtherefrom for attaching the electrical wiring device to an electricalbox. Two spaced apart coupling tabs extend from the mounting strap atthe first end of the housing and two spaced apart coupling tabs extendfrom the mounting strap at the second end of the housing. A wall platehas a front face, a rear face, a dimension to cover the electricalwiring device, and a central opening with a dimension for receiving thefront face of the electrical wiring device and defining a central axisof the wall plate. The wall plate has an outer edge with a lip extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the front face and has an inner surfacefacing the central axis and has a plurality of teeth for engaging thecoupling tabs to couple the wall plate to the mounting strap.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the invention, which in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, disclose various embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a brief description of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the cover plate assembly in oneembodiment of the invention attached to an electrical wiring device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded rear view of the cover plate assembly;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate taken along line 5-5of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 of thecover plate showing the cover plate attached to the electrical wiringdevice;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing theattachment of the wall plate to the electrical wiring device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wall plate assembly in a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the wall plate and electrical wiringdevice;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the wall plate connected to the mounting strapof the electrical wiring device cross-sectional end view showing theconnector of the cover plate engaging the base plate;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the connector and the electricalwiring device in another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connector assembled on theelectrical wiring device in the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 11

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line14-14 of FIG. 13

FIG. 15 is a partial side view in cross section showing the wall plateconnected to the connector and the electrical wiring device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a connector and electrical wiring devicein a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional and view showing the wall plate attached tothe connector;

FIG. 18 is another embodiment of the connector for attaching to themounting strap of an electrical wiring device; and

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 18attached to the mounting strap of electrical wiring device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wall plate assembly for attachingto an electrical wiring device such as an electrical receptacle or wallswitch. The invention is particularly directed to a wall plate that iscoupled to the housing of the electrical wiring device and/or to amounting strap of an electrical wiring device.

Referring to the drawings, the wall cover plate 10 is coupled to anelectrical wiring device 12 without the use of screws or separatefasteners. The electrical wiring device in the embodiment shown is aduplex receptacle. It will be understood that the electrical wiringdevice can be other wiring devices as known in the art such as a wallswitch, GFCI, night light and the like.

The electrical wiring device 12 in the embodiment shown includes ahousing 14 having a front face 16, first and second opposite side walls18 and first and second end walls 20. A front face has suitable slotsand apertures for receiving the prongs and blades of an electrical plug.A mounting strap 22 extends from each of the end walls 20 for mountingthe electrical wiring device 12 to an electrical box in a conventionalmanner as known in the art. The mounting straps 22 are typically made ofsteel and form a ground strap for electrically grounding the electricalwiring device to the electrical box. In the embodiment illustrated, twoseparate mounting straps 22 are shown attached to the opposite end wallsof the housing 14. In other embodiments, a single mounting strap can beprovided that extends along the longitudinal length of the electricalwiring device 12 and extends from the end walls of the housing 14. Themounting strap can extend through the housing 14 or along the bottomside and ends as known in the art.

The mounting straps 22 have an outwardly extending flange 24 with atleast one aperture 26 receiving a mounting screw 28 for attaching theelectrical wiring device 12 to the electrical box. A second aperture 30is formed in the flange 24 of the mounting strap 22 spaced from theaperture 26. In one embodiment of the invention, the aperture 30 is athreaded hole typically used for receiving a screw for mounting anattaching a conventional face plate to the electrical wiring device by athreaded screw.

The housing 14 of the electrical wiring device 12 includes a shoulder 42formed in at least one of the walls of the housing 14 and preferably inat least two opposite walls as shown. In the embodiment shown, ashoulder 42 is formed in the end walls 20 and spaced from the front face16 toward the rear face 17. The shoulder 42 forms a lip or undercuthaving a bottom face substantially parallel to the front face 16 andfacing away from the front face.

The wall plate 10 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 has a substantiallyplanar configuration with a front face 32 and a rear face 34. The wallplate 10 in the embodiment shown has a substantially rectangularconfiguration for mating with a single gang electrical box and a singlewiring device. In other embodiments, the wall plate 10 can have adimension for a multi-gang electrical box.

The wall plate 10 has a central opening 36 extending between the frontface 32 in the rear face 34. The central opening 36 has a dimensioncorresponding substantially to the dimensions and shape of the frontface 16 of the electrical wiring device 12 so that the front face 16 isreceived in the central opening 36 as shown in FIG. 1. The wall plate 10has an outer edge 38 forming a perimeter of the wall plate. In theembodiment shown, the outer edge 38 includes a lip 40 that extends awayfrom the rear face 34 as shown in FIG. 5.

A plurality of coupling members extend from the rear face 34 of the wallplate 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for coupling the wall plate to theelectrical wiring device 12. The coupling members include at least oneand preferably a plurality of projections 44 that extend outwardly fromand substantially perpendicular to the rear face 34. In the embodimentshown, two projections 44 are provided on opposite ends for coupling tothe electrical wiring device 12. Preferably at least four projectionsare provided on the wall plate and are positioned to couple with theelectrical wiring device 12. The projections 44 extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the wall plate and the rear face 34. Theprojections have a leg 46 extending from the rear wall 34 with a distalend 48 having an inclined end face 50 and a projecting hook 52. In theembodiment shown, the projections 44 are positioned adjacent the inneredge of the central opening 36 of the wall plate 10. As shown in FIGS. 4and 5 the hooks 52 project inwardly into an axial passage defined by thecentral opening 36. In one embodiment, the wall plate 10 and the centralopening 36 have a substantially rectangular configuration where thecentral opening has opposite side edges and opposite end edgescorresponding to the longitudinal ends of the electrical wiring device.

The coupling members of the wall plate also include at least one prongand preferably two spaced apart prongs 54 positioned at opposite ends.The prongs 54 are spaced from the projections 44. In the embodimentshown, the prongs 54 are spaced outwardly from the projections 44 andthe central opening 36 and are positioned along a centerline of the wallplate 10. Preferably, the prongs 54 are oriented with respect to thewall plate corresponding to the location of the screw holes in aconventional wall plate for aligning with the wall plate screw holes inthe electrical wiring device 12.

In use, the electrical wiring device 12 is mounted in an electrical boxin a conventional manner. The wall plate 10 is snapped onto theelectrical wiring device as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The front face 16 ofthe electrical wiring device 12 is received in the central opening 36 sothat the front face 32 of the wall plate 10 is substantially flush withthe front face 16 of the electrical wiring device 12. The projections 44engage the edge of the housing 14 of the electrical wiring device andslide along the sidewall until the hook 52 engages the shoulder 42formed in the housing 14. In the embodiment shown, two projections 44are provided at each longitudinal end of the central opening 36 in thewall plate 10 and engage a shoulder 42 formed in each end wall 20. Inalternative embodiments, the shoulder 42 can be formed in the sidewallsand the projections 44 can be oriented along the longitudinal side edgesof the central opening to engage the shoulder.

The prongs 54 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are aligned with the threadedaperture 30 in the mounting strap 22 to align the wall plate 10 with thewiring device 12. The prongs 54 preferably have a dimension tofrictionally engage the threaded aperture 30 to assist in coupling thewall plate 10 to the electrical wiring device 12. The projections 44snap over the shoulder 42 to attach the wall plate to the electricalwiring device and the prongs 54 frictionally engages apertures 30 tocouple the wall plate 10 to the electrical wiring device.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention for couplinga wall plate 60 to the electrical wiring device 62. The electricalwiring device 62 is illustrated as a duplex receptacle having a mountingstrap 64 extending from each longitudinal end 66 of the housing 68 ofthe electrical wiring device 62.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 the mounting strap 64 includes a planar bodyportion 70 extending outwardly from the housing 68 with an aperture 72for receiving a mounting screw 74 for attaching to the electrical wiringdevice 62 to the electrical box 76. The mounting strap includes twospaced apart coupling tabs 78 forming a yoke that extend outwardly fromthe planar body portion 70. The coupling tabs 78 include an inclinedcoupling flange 80 forming a lip projecting away and outwardly withrespect to the front face of the electrical wiring device.

The wall plate 60 has a front face 82 with openings 92 for theelectrical device 62 with openings 92 for the electrical wiring device62, a rear face 84 and a shoulder 86 encircling the outer edge of thewall plate 60. The shoulder 86 extends substantially perpendicular tothe plane of the rear face 84 and includes an inner surface 88. Theinner surface 88 includes a plurality of ridges forming teeth 90 todefine a gripping surface for mating with the coupling flanges 80. Thegripping surfaces defined by the teeth 90 are oriented with respect tothe coupling flanges 80 as shown in FIG. 10. In use, the electricalwiring device 62 is mounted to the electrical box as shown in FIG. 9.The wall plate 60 is snapped onto the electrical wiring device 62 sothat the coupling flanges 80 engage the gripping surface formed by theteeth 90.

In the embodiment shown, the mounting strap 64 at each longitudinal endof the housing 68 has two spaced apart coupling flanges 80 at thelongitudinal ends of the electrical wiring device. Preferably thecoupling flanges are spaced apart a distance to resist movement of thewall plate with respect to the electrical wiring device. The innersurface 88 is provided with teeth 90 oriented to engage the couplingflanges 80 to provide an interference fit of the wall plate with themounting strap.

Referring to FIGS. 11-15 another embodiment of the invention isillustrated. In this embodiment, the electrical wiring device 100includes a housing 102 with the front face 104 and longitudinal endfaces 106. A mounting strap 108 extends from each end face 106 formounting the electrical wiring device 100 to an electrical box. Themounting strap 108 includes one or more apertures 110 for receiving amounting screw for attaching the electrical wiring device 100 to anelectrical box. Each of the mounting straps 108 include two couplingflanges for coupling with the inner edge of a wall plate 112 as shown inFIG. 15 in a manner similar to the previous embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15, coupling flanges 114 are integrallyformed with an adapter 116 that can be removably attached to themounting strap 108. The adapter 116 includes a body portion 118 and aleg portion 120 that is inclined with respect to the body portion 118 asshown in FIG. 11. The leg portion 120 is integrally formed with thecoupling flanges 114. Preferably, two coupling flanges 114 are providedon each of the adapters 116 and are spaced apart from each other. In oneembodiment, the coupling flanges are substantially parallel to eachother. The outer edges 122 of the coupling flanges 114 form a grippingedge for mating with the wall plate. Preferably the adapter 116 isremovably coupled to the mounting strap by a suitable faster.

The adapter 116 in the embodiment shown is formed with a substantiallyU-shaped guides 124 forming channels on opposite sides of the body 118.The U-shaped guides 124 are spaced apart a distance to receive the sideedges of the mounting strap 108 so that the adapter 116 can slide ontothe mounting strap 108. In the embodiment shown, a clip 126 isintegrally formed with the body 118. The clip 126 has a leg portion 128aligned substantially parallel to the body 118 and is connected to thebody 118 by a U-shaped connecting portion 130. The distal end of the leg128 includes a U-shaped hook 132.

In use, the adapter 116 slides onto the end of the mounting strap 108with the guides 24 engaging the outer edges of the mounting strap 108.The clip 126 slides over the edge of the mounting strap 108 until theU-shaped hook 132 slides over the bottom edge of the arms 134 of themounting strap 108 to secure the adapter 116 to the mounting strap. Inalternative embodiments the U-shaped guides can be crimped by use of asuitable tool to attach the adapter to the mounting flange. As in theprevious embodiment, the wall plate 112 has a shoulder 136 with an innerface 140 having a plurality of teeth 138 forming a gripping surface. Thewall plate 112 is pressed onto the adapters 116 so that the couplingflanges 114 engage the teeth 138 for securing the wall plate to theelectrical device.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate another embodiment of the invention where themounting straps 144 of the electrical wiring device 146 include anadapter 148. In this embodiment, the adapter 148 includes a body portion150 with outwardly extending arms 152. The outer ends 154 of the arms152 include an outwardly turned coupling flange formed at an inclinewith respect to the plane of the arms 152. The body 150 includes anaperture 158 for receiving the mounting screw 160. The mounting screw160 extends through an aperture in the mounting strap 144 for mountingthe electrical wiring device to an electrical box. In this embodiment ofthe invention, the mounting screw 160 passes through the aperture 154coupling the adapter 148 to the mounting strap.

The adapter 148 can be positioned on the top face of the mounting strapor on the bottom face of the mounting strap as shown so that theadapters are captured between the mounting strap and the electrical box.The coupling flanges 156 are spaced outwardly from the longitudinalsides of the electrical wiring device and the edges of the electricalbox corresponding to the width of the wall plate 162. Preferably, thecoupling flanges extend in opposite directions from the body 150 andengage opposite sides of the wall plate 162. In one embodiment as shown,the adapter 148 has a width so that the ends of the arms 152 extendoutwardly a distance to contact opposite sides of the front edge of theelectrical box as shown in FIG. 17. The arms 152 contacting the frontedge of the electrical box prevent the arms from deflecting inwardlywhen the installation force is applied to the wall plate.

The wall plate 162 as in the previous embodiments has a front face 164,a rear face 166 and a shoulder 168 with an inner face 170 having aplurality of teeth or other gripping surface. As shown in FIG. 17, thecoupling flanges 156 slide over the inner face 170 on opposite sides ofthe wall plate 162 for attaching the wall plate directly to theelectrical wiring device.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrated another embodiment of an adapter 174 forcoupling to the ends of a mounting strap 176 in a manner similar to theprevious embodiment. In this embodiment, the adapter 174 has a body 178with outwardly extending legs 180 having inclined coupling flanges 182similar to the previous embodiment. The arms can have a length tocontact the opposite edges of the electrical box as in the previousembodiment to resist deflection of the arms during installation of thewall plate. The adapter 174 includes a coupling member 184 for couplingthe adapter to the mounting strap 176. The coupling member 184 includeslegs 26 overlying the body 176 and connected to the body by U-shapedconnecting portion. In one embodiment, the coupling member can slideover the end on the mounting strap. In other embodiments, the legs ofthe coupling members can be folded and bent around the mounting strap tofix the adapter to the mounting straps. The coupling flanges 182 extendoutwardly from the sides of the electrical wiring device as shown inFIG. 19 for engaging the edges of the wall cover as shown in theembodiment of FIG. 17.

In one embodiment the electrical wiring device is a conventional duplexreceptacle having a standard mounting strap or yoke. The adapter of theinvention can be removably attached to the mounting strap as in theprevious embodiments. In one embodiment, the wall plate and the adaptercan be provided as a kit or assembly so that the wall plate can beattached to a conventional or existing electrical wiring device byattaching the adapter to the existing electrical wiring device withoutthe need to modify the electrical wiring device. In one embodiment, theadapter can be attached directly to the mounting strap of the existingwiring device without the need to remove the electrical wiring devicefor modify the mounting strap.

While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention,it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A electrical assembly, said assembly comprising:an electrical wiring device having a housing with a front face, a firstlongitudinal end with a mounting strap extending therefrom, and a secondlongitudinal end with a mounting strap extending therefrom for attachingsaid electrical wiring device to an open end of an electrical box; and awall plate having a central opening with a dimension to receive saidfront face of said electrical wiring device, a front face and a rearface, and a plurality of coupling members extending from said rear faceand coupled directly to said housing of said electrical wiring device.2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said coupling members furthercomprise a plurality of projections extending from said rear face, eachof said projections having a distal end with a hook engaging saidhousing of said electrical wiring device.
 3. The assembly of claim 2,wherein said housing of said electrical wiring device has a first wallat said first end and a second wall at a second end opposite said firstwall, each of said walls extending substantially perpendicular to saidfront face and having a shoulder defining an undercut, and where saidhook of said projections hook onto a respective shoulder to couple saidwall plate to said housing of said electrical wiring device.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3, wherein said hooks face inwardly toward saidcentral opening of said wall plate.
 5. The assembly of claim 3, whereinsaid first end is a first longitudinal end of said electrical wiringdevice, and said second end is a said second longitudinal end of saidelectrical wiring device.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein saidprojections are oriented adjacent said central opening of said wallplate and positioned on opposite sides of said central opening forengaging said housing of said electrical wiring device.
 7. The assemblyof claim 3, wherein said mounting straps have an aperture, said wallplate has two spaced apart prongs extending from said rear face andaligned with said aperture in said mounting straps, said prongs having adimension to provide a friction fit with a respective aperture forcoupling said wall plate to said mounting strap.
 8. An electricalassembly comprising: an electrical wiring device having a housing with afront face, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wallhaving a mounting strap extending therefrom, and a second end wallhaving a mounting strap extending their from for attaching saidelectrical wiring device to an electrical box; a wall plate having afront face, a rear face with a dimension to cover said electrical wiringdevice and the electrical box, said wall plate having a central openingwith a dimension for receiving the front face of the electrical wiringdevice; a plurality of projections extending from said rear face of saidwall plate, said projections having a distal end with a hook engaging atleast one of said walls of said electrical wiring device; and two spacedapart prongs extending from said rear face of said wall plate and beingspaced radially outward from said projections, said prongs having adimension for frictionally engaging an aperture in said electricalwiring device.
 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said projectionsengage said end walls of said electrical wiring device.
 10. The assemblyof claim 8, wherein said walls of said electrical wiring device engagingsaid projections have a shoulder defining an undercut spaced from saidfront face, wherein said hooks engage said shoulder to attach said wallplate to said electrical wiring device.
 11. The assembly of claim 10,wherein said projections are positioned adjacent said central opening.12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said hooks of said projectionsextend inwardly with respect to said central opening of said wall plate.13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said central opening has a shapecorresponding to a shape of said front face of said electrical wiringdevice, and where said projections are positioned on an inner edge ofsaid wall plate defined by said central opening.
 14. The assembly ofclaim 13, wherein said mounting straps include a threaded aperture, andwhere said prongs of said wall plate are positioned to align with saidthreaded apertures and said prongs are received in said threadedapertures to form a friction fit or interference fit with said apertureof said mounting strap.
 15. An electrical assembly comprising: anelectrical wiring device having a housing with a front face, a firstside wall, a second side wall, a first end wall having a mounting strapextending therefrom, and a second end wall having a mounting strapextending therefrom for attaching said electrical wiring device to anelectrical box; two spaced apart coupling tabs extending from saidmounting strap at said first end of said housing, and two spaced apartcoupling tabs extending from said mounting strap at said second end ofsaid housing; a wall plate having a front face, a rear face, a dimensionto cover said electrical wiring device, and a central opening with adimension for receiving the front face of the electrical wiring deviceand defining a central axis of said wall plate, said wall plate furtherhaving an outer edge with a lip extending substantially perpendicular tosaid front face and having an inner surface facing said central axis andhaving a plurality of teeth for engaging said coupling tabs to couplesaid wall plate to said coupling tabs of said mounting strap.
 16. Theassembly of claim 15, wherein each of said coupling tabs aresubstantially parallel to each other and extend outwardly from saidfirst longitudinal end of said electrical wiring device and said secondlongitudinal end of said electrical wiring device.
 17. The assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising an adapter member removably coupled to saidends of said mounting straps, said coupling tabs being integrally formedwith said adapter.
 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said adapterhas a body, a clip member for coupling said adapter to said mountingstrap, and a flange extending at an incline from said body and outwardlywith respect to the electrical wiring device, and where said couplingtabs extend outwardly from said inclined flange.
 19. The assembly ofclaim 18 wherein said body has a first side edge with a U-shaped guidechannel and a second side edge with a U-shaped guide channel, each saidchannels being configured for mating with side edges of the respectivemounting strap, and where said clip member has a leg coupled to saidbody by a substantially U-shaped connecting portion for clipping saidadapter to said respective mounting strap.
 20. The assembly of claim 16,wherein said adapter has a body coupled to said mounting strap by afastener, a first arm and a second arm extending outwardly in oppositedirections from said body, each of said arm is having a coupling flangeintegrally formed there with for engaging a side edge of said lip ofsaid wall plate, and where said arms have a length to contact a frontedge of an electrical box.
 21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein saidmounting flanges of said electrical wiring device have a screw aperturefor receiving a mounting screw for attaching said electrical wiringdevice to an electrical box, and where said body of said adapter has ascrew hole receiving said mounting screw for coupling said adapter tosaid mounting flange.